7 DJs tell us how to get a gig in Ibiza

Right now, Ibiza is packed with hundreds of young bedroom DJs trying to score work. The dream of playing at Amnesia, Pacha or Privilege seemed feasible when they first landed at the start of the summer, but after a few weeks on the island many White Isle newbies are starting to realise the truth: that scoring an Ibizan residency is going to be harder than they thought.

Ibiza’s next generation will have to do a little PRing or ticket selling just to get by. And then when the chance to jump behind the decks and showcase their talents finally arrives, they must be ready to make the most of the opportunity. But how do you prepare for a situation you’ve never experienced before? We asked seven DJs who came to Ibiza on a shoestring how they fought their way up the Balearic food chain to score regular sets in Ibiza.

I first went out to Ibiza for a three-week holiday in 2008. I was producing music at the time, so I guess in the back of my mind I had an idea of becoming a DJ, although I didn’t have a plan to make it happen. We started out with a boat party called Sunset Playground which quickly became really successful, selling out every week. From there, we started to get small scale gigs. I also had a group of friends from Newcastle who used to run Jaunt parties in the backroom of Savannah and at Itaca. We had such a big group of friends and everyone started to get to know who we were and more gigs came from that.

Additionally, knowing someone on the island that either runs parties or who knows people that do will definitely help you sort out a gig. Just turn with a couple of USBs, get talking to people and push yourself out there. You’ll end up playing somewhere on a smaller scale, at someone’s apartment or villa for example.

Networking is really important. Once people get to know you, like you and start to hear about you, things will build from there. Obviously being able to produce music is a massive help. If you’re a producer and you’re making good tunes, people are going to recognise you. Once you can showcase your overall package, people will like what you’re about. But your best bet is to start your own party.

Everyone who goes to Ibiza and wants to be a DJ that badly will end up getting a gig somewhere – it isn’t too hard to get a gig. What’s harder is getting your name out there, getting people to recognise you and showing people how good you are.

It’s kind of fucked up to say, but if you know the right people and are generally liked, you can get work. Now, if you have the networking down and you’re a great DJ, you really can go far. It’s a game. Play it or eventually get looked over. No one is gonna book a great DJ they’ve never heard of.

Even so, I don’t think bedroom DJs should go to Ibiza strictly with the mindset of getting gigs. Just go there. Meet people as much as you can. Do whatever you have to do to be at the right parties, but always make sure you have USB sticks on you. Loaded either with music of yours that you’ve made to hand out or music you can DJ with. There are always parties happening, whether they’re at some villa, some apartment block or wherever – and you never know who might be listening if you get the chance to play. Be ready for anything!

So forget about hunting that first gig. It will come. Just be at parties. Meet people. Come out of your comfort zone and enjoy where you’re at! Don’t forget to be inspired by the clubs and DJs you’re experiencing.

And make music. However you can – laptop, iPad – I don’t care. Just try to capture some kind of inspiration while you’re in Ibiza.

The first time I did the whole season in Ibiza was in 2010. I went out to the island with a plan of getting some DJ work and earning some money to keep me going. One of my mates did a night at V-Bar at the bottom of the West End and I ended up playing for him regularly – it became my main bit of work out there.

The first gig I played in one of the main venues was at Zoo Project. Lots of my mates were selling tickets for them and when I first went there to party, I ended up meeting one of the organisers and we got on really well. Having already heard me play, he gave me a chance to play in one of the smaller areas of the venue. After this, I managed to play at Privilege and I also scored some gigs at Sands after meeting the guy who was organising the events there.

It is possible for young bedroom DJs to land on the island and score gigs. It happens all the time. There are bars in San Antonio’s West End and some of the other towns that welcome new talent. It’s just a matter of talking to people, showing a genuine interest in the work of others and being able to demonstrate that you have what it takes. At some point, the right opportunity will come along and when it does, you have to make sure that you are ready and prepared so to perform to the very best of your ability.

My advice would be to have your music selections and folders already sorted and ready to play. The main thing in music is to enjoy it, so go to lots of different kinds of parties, meet and talk to as many people as you can. Hang close by the booth and meet the other people who are hanging there. As with anything in life, you can be successful if you work hard and if you are kind to people.

2010 was my first summer on the island. I came over with a few guaranteed gigs, although I knew it wouldn’t be enough to support me for the entire season. As soon as we arrived, one of my mates and I got work painting this new nightclub in Figueretas. After two weeks, the guy who owned the club told us he’d lost all his money and couldn’t afford to pay us! I ended up moving to San Antonio, staying with four of my other mates who were all on holiday at the time. That got me two weeks free accommodation, in which time I managed to get a gig at Ibiza Rocks Bar, which in turn got me a few slots at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel, doing the nighttime gigs and a few pool parties.

But I was lucky, I knew people – I think that was it. Relationships build relationships. If there’s a venue you really want to get a gig in then you have to get to know the people who are already working there. Not only the other DJs, but also the staff. Keep going back and chatting to them. That’s how I met Jordan Hallpike, the Ibiza Rocks booker. Those kinds of connections present opportunities.

And another thing: when you eventually get these gigs, make sure you turn up! The bar owners and the promoters want to see commitment. They want people who are solid and who are going to turn up and get their set done even when they’re in a shit state.

I don’t do it now I’m older, but when I was younger, I’ll admit it, I went to some of my early Ibiza gigs absolutely hanging. In Ibiza, that scenario is quite common. But I always went and got the job done and that’s what the promoters and the bar owners need to see. Once you get a DJ residency you have to look after it.

It’s all about connections, but there’s no specific formula when you’re dealing with bar owners and promoters. When you approach them don’t try to be something you’re not. Be respectful, but also be honest and ask for what you want rather than dillydallying around. You can be very direct, albeit in a respectful way. Once you make that connection, nurture it. Make sure it’s a daily thing. Make sure you’re the first person the promoter thinks of when some another DJ cancels.

Social media is another way you can stay current. It’s something you really need to look at. Instead of keeping all your connections updated on exactly what you’re doing, they can keep tabs on you at their leisure. Social networking was something I was really weak on until earlier this year. The problem I had was trying to figure out exactly how I could do something that made me more me! I’m not selling you anything; I’m just showing you who I am. Enhancing me. Giving people the opportunity to look behind the screen without actually having to meet me in the flesh.

Even if you’re not necessarily at a level where you think you can share socially, you can make your journey relatable and people will buy into that. That’s when people become fans of whatever it is that you’re doing; that’s when you start to become a brand. That kind of thing is very important now. Sometimes, people come out of nowhere with 500,000 views on their videos. But they’ve taken the time to make it happen. People with that kind of following are always going to get booked here on the island.

Having friends in the right places is invaluable. Your big break may come from an unknown promoter who downloaded your mix off Instagram, but it's equally likely to come from a now clean living Ketamine Dave who's become a big player and remembers the time you gave him your €10 Font Vella when he was on a whitey outside Space toilets. Indeed, the Ibiza workers of today are the Ibiza bigwigs of tomorrow as everyone is on the island for the same reason: dedication to the rave.

As for actually getting gigs in Ibiza, capitalise on the captive audience of rave-addicted workers you have access to and throw your own parties with you as a resident. It’s a great way of networking and getting your face and intentions out there.

Ultimately, think big. No chanced-upon gig in your first season in Ibiza is going to lead to much other than getting lucky with a drunken holiday rep. But the knowledge, connections and experiences you come back with will hold you in great stead for the future, as the electronic music industry is so much more than just being able to rock a crowd behind the decks.

If you don’t have any contacts on the island or you’re an unknown DJ, you need to work on that in order to play in Ibiza. It’s possible to meet people from the industry at parties, but you can’t just go with the intention of finding gigs overnight. It means more to find like-minded music lovers who could potentially be good friends. Treat people with respect and maybe you’ll find opportunities. An alternative would be to play at a party that you create, but competition is tough!

Obviously you can’t play anywhere unless you’ve made contact with the people running the party. Most of my relationships are with fellow artists working at Ibiza Sonica, Get Physical, Kindisch, Ovum and the other labels I have released on, along with the artists I have had on my radio show as guests and other artists whose music I’ve been following.

I’ve never been one to network at gigs; I tend to network more online. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out to the parties you love and try to make friends, but remember you can always reach out to fellow artists you like online, share your music and try to build a network around you. Things tend to build and build each year if you keep working at it. Be unique, keep working at your craft, be patient and be nice!

Johnny Lee is Mixmag's Ibiza correspondent